Salman Khan's latest Eid release, Sikandar, has hit theaters, but the initial box office numbers tell a story of unmet expectations. Despite the fervent anticipation and the celebratory atmosphere surrounding its release, the A. R. Murugadoss directorial managed to collect only ₹26 crore on its opening day, March 30th, according to Sacnilk. This figure pales in comparison to Vicky Kaushal’s recent film, Chhaava, which raked in ₹31 crore on its opening day back on February 14th. The lukewarm reception raises questions about the factors contributing to this underwhelming start.

Several elements may have played a role in Sikandar's initial performance. Firstly, the decision to release the film on a Sunday, rather than the conventional Friday, could have impacted footfall. Traditionally, Friday releases benefit from the momentum of the weekend. While the makers likely hoped to capitalize on the Eid and Ugadi holidays, this strategy appears to have fallen short. Secondly, the film was leaked online in HD prints before its theatrical release. With readily available pirated versions circulating on torrent websites and Telegram, a significant portion of the audience may have opted to watch the film at home, thereby affecting ticket sales.

Sikandar, a Sajid Nadiadwala production, boasts an ensemble cast including Rashmika Mandanna, Sathyaraj, Kajal Aggarwal, Sharman Joshi, Prateik Babbar, Kishore, Jatin Sarna, and Sanjay Kapoor. With music by Pritam, cinematography by Tirru, and editing by Vivek Harshan, the film is mounted on an estimated production budget of ₹200 crore, making it one of the most expensive Indian films ever made. Despite the high production value and star power, critics have largely deemed Sikandar a 'let down'.

To provide context, let's look at the opening day collections of some of Salman Khan's previous releases:

The numbers reveal a fluctuating trend in the opening day collections of Salman Khan's films. While Tiger 3 and Bharat had strong starts, others like Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan and Antim underperformed. Sikandar's opening day collection places it somewhere in the middle, but significantly lower than some of Khan's other Eid releases.

The film's performance in the coming days will be crucial in determining its overall success. Whether it can overcome the initial hurdles and resonate with audiences remains to be seen.